Monarch honors dozens of deserving staff during annual awards dinner

Monarch honored more than two dozen of its staff members in seven different categories on Thursday, Oct. 4 during the agency’s 2012 Annual Awards Dinner held at Stanly Regional Medical Center. Based in Albemarle, Monarch provides support statewide to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse challenges.

The Academy Awards-like evening included food, fun, entertainment, dancing and recognition of honorees. The night included guest appearances from Dancing with the Stars’ contestants. The event was filled to capacity with approximately 250 Monarch employees who traveled from as far as Laurinburg, Lumberton and New Bern. Participants also included people the agency supports from across the region and surprise appearances from family members of several award recipients.

The night’s entertainment featured an inspiring song and invocation by Kim McGowen, director of Christian Education at First Lutheran Church in Albemarle. Karon Click and the Hot Licks, a Winston-Salem area band, kept participants entertained and even got them out of their seats for some dancing in the aisles. Click, lead vocalist of the group, is a program manager at Monarch in Winston-Salem.

A crowd favorite included an “encore” performance by two contestants from the Stanly County Dancing with the Stars competition held last month to benefit the Butterfly House, a children’s advocacy agency in Albemarle. Martha Sue Hall, member of the Albemarle City Council and a family court administrator in Union County, performed the Foxtrot. Jackie McGowen, executive assistant at Monarch and the event’s organizer, danced a Rumba. Michael Stowers, a teacher at Providence High School in Charlotte and professional ballroom dance instructor, served as partner for both women. The night was full of excitement for unsuspecting honorees and their colleagues. Staff members from across the state who received Monarch’s prestigious awards in various categories include:

The Bill Sackter Award went to Benny Benjamin, of Norwood, who attends Stanly Industrial Services in Albemarle. The award recognizes a person Monarch supports who is an achieving member of society.

The Eula Cranford Professional of the Year honors a staff member who is involved with service to individuals supported. This year’s recipients are: Kristie Cobb, program manager, Biscoe – Region 2, and Helen Kedzierski, qualified professional, Greenville – Region 6. Appreciation of Dedication of Service Award recognizes an employee who has reached 25 years of service. Those who earned this award are: Bruce Hurst, qualified professional, Raeford – Region 4 and Glindia Harper, developmental specialist, Lumberton – Region 4.

The Martha H. Lowder Award of Excellence honors a Monarch board member who has demonstrated exemplary board involvement. The award went to Monarch’s Board Chair Melinda Rummage, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator.

Industry of the Year Award went to Package Crafters for their exceptional record in providing sub-contract work for affirmative industries, including Monarch. Alan Deal, director of sales and marketing, accepted the award. Package Crafters is a manufacturing, contract packaging, and distribution company in High Point.

Monarch provides support statewide to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse challenges in more than 55 North Carolina counties. Monarch is nationally accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership and is CABHA certified. The agency is an affiliate chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States. To learn how Monarch is “Helping Dreams Take Flight” for people in our communities, call (800) 230-7525 or visit www.MonarchNC.org.

Pictured above: At top (l-r) - Leonard Covington, human resources manager; Queen Troy, developmental specialist in Raeford a recipient of the Staff Member of the Year Award; and Terri Bernhardt, chief administrative officer. Below (l-r): Michael Stowers, professional ballroom dance instructor, and Jackie McGowen, executive assistant, perform the Rumba. To see more images from the event, click here to visit Monarch’s Facebook page.

###Media contact: Natasha A. Suber, (704) 986-1582 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Established in 1958, Monarch provides support statewide to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders. The organization is nationally accredited by The Joint Commission and The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). Monarch operates The Arc of Stanly County, which is a chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States.